A Touch of Darkness (Hades x Persephone #1)(41)

“Hermes,” she said, relieved. Even glamoured up, he was ridiculously handsome. His golden hair was perfectly styled—shorn on the sides, long curls on the top. He wore a white shirt and grey pants, a drink already in hand.

“Sephy!” he exclaimed. “What are you wearing?”

She looked down at herself, though she didn’t need to. She knew perfectly well what she was wearing.

“I just came from class.”

“College chic,” he raised his golden brows. “Hot.”

She rolled her eyes and twisted away from him, making her way toward the steps. The God of Trickery followed.

“What are you doing here?” Persephone asked.

“Well, I am the messenger of the gods,” he said.

“No, what are you doing here? On the floor of Nevernight?” she clarified.

“Gods gamble, too, Sephy,” he answered.

“Don’t call me that,” she said. “And why would gods gamble with Hades?”

“For the thrill,” Hermes said with a mischievous smile.

Persephone topped the stairs with Hermes in tow.

“Where are we going, Sephy?”

She thought it was funny that he included himself in that statement.

“I am going to Hades office,” she answered.

“He won’t be in there,” Hermes said and it occurred to her that perhaps Hermes didn’t know about her and Hades’ bargain.

She looked at the god, and though she wasn’t here to see Hades, she still wondered aloud, “Then where is he?”

Hermes looked amused. “He is reviewing propositions for contracts across the way.”

Persephone’s jaw tightened, frustrated. Of course, he is, she thought.

“I’m not here for Hades,” she said, and hurried ahead to Hades office. Once inside, she dropped her backpack on the couch and rolled her shoulders, rubbing at the pain.

She looked up to find Hermes at the bar. He picked up various bottles, reading the labels. Whatever he had in his hands must have been appealing because he unscrewed it and poured it into an empty glass.

“Should you be doing that?” she asked.

The god shrugged. “Hades owes me, right? I saved your life.”

Persephone blushed, looking away.

“I owe you,” she said. “Not Hades.”

“Careful, Goddess,” Hermes said. “One bargain with a god is enough, don’t you think?”

She startled. “You know?”

Hermes smiled and only said, “Sephy, I wasn’t born yesterday.”

“You must think I’m incredibly stupid,” she said.

“No,” he said. “I think you were lured by Hades’ charms.”

“So, you agree that Hades has wrong me?”

“No,” he said. “I’m saying you’re attracted to Hades.”

Persephone rolled her eyes and turned from the god. She crossed Hades’ office and tried the invisible door behind his desk, but her hands didn’t sink into the surface like last time.

Her way into the Underworld was barred. Had he revoked her favor because she’d brought Adonis to Nevernight? Or was he angry because of how she’d left him in his throne room a few days before? Hadn’t he bestowed favor so she wouldn’t have to bother him?

The doors to Hades office rattled. Hermes grabbed Persephone and dragged her toward the mirror over the mantle. She resisted, but Hermes pressed his lips close to her hear and said, “Trust me, you’ll want to see this.”

He snapped his fingers, and Persephone felt her skin tighten across her bones. It was the strangest feeling and it didn’t go away, even when they were inside the mirror. The sensation was like being behind a waterfall and looking out at the hazy world.

She started to ask if they could be seen, but Hermes pressed a finger to his lips and said, “Shh.”

Hades came into view and Persephone’s breath caught—no matter how often she saw him, she didn’t think she’d ever get used to his beauty. Today he looked tense and severe. She wondered what had happened.

She soon received her answer.

Minthe followed close behind and Persephone felt a rush of hot jealousy. They were arguing.

“You are wasting your time!” she heard Minthe say.

“It’s not like I’m running out,” Hades snapped, clearly not wishing to listen to the nymph lecture him. Minthe’s face hardened.

“This is a club. Mortals bargain for their desires, they do not make requests of the God of the Underworld.”

“This club is what I say it is.”

Minthe glared at the god. “You think this will sway the goddess to think better of you?”

The goddess? Was Minthe referring to her?

Hades eyes darkened at the nymph’s comment. “I do not care what others think of me, and that includes you, Minthe.” The nymph’s face fell and Hades continued, “I will hear her offer, Minthe.”

The nymph said nothing, and turned on her heels, walking out of sight. After a moment, a woman entered Hades’ office. She wore a beige trench coat, a large sweater, and jeans. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. Despite being fairly young, she looked exhausted and Persephone didn’t need Hades’ powers to know that whatever burden she carried at this point in her life was heavy.